“Yeah.” Kieran’s voice was strained, and she glanced back. He was already mid-grapple with Steven.
“Britney, looks like she’s about twenty-one, says she’d like to have your babies.”
Kieran had Steven twisted, all bent up between his legs. He raised one brow at Lily, as if to say,What the fuck?
Steven tapped out, and Kieran rocked back on his heels. “Can you tell her I’m a little busy?”
The fights continued. Submission hold after submission hold. Kieran didn’t need to hurt his fighters. He used his overpowering strength to bend them to his will. The control, as well as the restraint, was hot as hell.
Lily rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, never taking her eyes off him.
Terror had raced through her every time Vovik raised his fists. Could it be different with Kieran? If she asked him to toss her to the ground and take her, would he exert the same control he used with his fighters? If she asked him to stop, would he spring away?
It was easy to imagine. Her fantasies had only become more vibrant since they’d begun spending extra time together.
And God, did she have a vivid imagination. She could feel the weight of Kieran’s fingers in her hair—the heat of his hand around her throat. The purr of his voice in her ear, promising to give her anything she’d like.
“Hey, Lily!”
Carter’s voice shook her from her fantasy. She swallowed hard and blinked, focusing on the blond fighter. He leanedin the entrance of the Octagon with a grin stretched across his face.
“Get that kiss ready, baby. I’ll be there in two minutes.”
She smiled but cut her gaze to Kieran. The look on his face was dark—calculating. He swiped at his mouth with his forearm, and Lily cringed.
Someone must have landed a hit while she was spaced out. Blood smeared from a cut in his lip.
While Kieran had been through several fights, Carter was fresh. Had he waited till the end on purpose, knowing Kieran would be winded?
If he had, Lily had to give him some credit. Carter was smart.
But the moment the timer started, Kieran exploded. Gone was the jovial coach giving his fighters half a chance. He descended on Carter in a fury of blows. Punches and kicks that crowded Carter until all he could do was defend.
Kieran sprang, his knees bending in a deep lunge, and his left foot aimed right for Carter’s solar plexus.
And Carter did exactly what he needed to do. He parried Kieran’s ankle with both hands, blocking the impact of the strike.
But Kieran’s momentum raised him higher, as if the first kick was little more than a stepping stone. He whipped down and across with his right heel, smacking Carter in the temple with a force Lily had only seen him use on tape.
Carter dropped. Lights out. No one home. He crumpled to the mat.
“Duuuuude!” Billy and Steven sprang into action. By the time they got to Carter, he was already stirring. A quick knockout but a knockout, nonetheless. They guided him to the bench where AJ was already opening the first aid kit.
Kieran stood alone in the cage, a cocky smirk on his face that all but screamed,Fuck around and find out.
“Alright, Lily. Your turn.”
The blood drained from her face, and her gaze swiveled from the camera to the team, back to Kieran. “You expect me to fight you?”
“Why not?” He tugged off his gloves and tossed them to the mat. Next came his mouth guard, which he took more care in rolling into the waistband of his shorts.
Lily shifted from foot to foot. Why not? Maybe because he’d proven in the last half hour he could kill a man while barely breaking a sweat. Still, she placed one foot in front of the other and shuffled toward the Octagon.
Do one thing every day that scares you.Or some bullshit like that.
Facing Kieran, her nerves hummed with energy. He was going to kiss her. On camera. She was certain of it. But how? She looked him over, taking in his sweat-soaked hair and the blood pooled in the corner of his mouth.
He looked like he could ravish her.
